Life Science Journal 2013;10(3) http://www.lifesciencesite.

com

Comparison of Neat and Modified Asphalt Binders Using Rheological Parameters under Virgin, RTFO and
PAV Aged condition

Kashif Riaz 1, Imran Hafeez 1, Anwar Khitab 2, Muhammad Hussain 1, Faizan Ali 1, Syed Zishan Ashiq 2,
Malik Kashan Tariq 2, Imtiaz Ahmed 2
1.
Department of Civil Engineering, University of Engineering & Technology, Taxila, Pakistan.
2.
Department of Civil Engineering, Mirpur University of Science and Technology (MUST), Mirpur, AJK, Pakistan.
engrkashif_89@yahoo.com

Abstract: True characterization of asphalt binders requires finding the rheological behavior at different temperature
and stress levels. Asphalt binder's performance in the field mainly depends on its aging conditions that govern
different rheological parameters. Five asphalt binders were tested in the laboratory at different aging conditions,
using the dynamic shear Rheometer. The main objectives were to characterize the high temperature load response of
asphalt binders under cyclic and static loading conditions. Two testing procedures have been adopted in the
laboratory to investigate the high temperature stiffness and creep compliance of asphalt binders. Result shows that
stiffness of asphalt binder increases and creep compliance decreases with aging. Creep compliance (Jnr) is
temperature and stress sensitive parameter and behaves linear visco-elastic up to a stress level of 3.2 kPa.
Temperature sensitivity depends upon the grade of asphalt binder.
[Riaz K, Hafeez I, Khitab A, Hussain M, Ali F, Ashiq S Z, Tariq M.K, Ahmed I. Comparison of Neat and
Modified Asphalt Binders Using Rheological Parameters under Virgin, RTFO and PAV Aged condition. Life
Sci J 2013;10(3):2041-2047] (ISSN:1097-8135). http://www.lifesciencesite.com.301

Keywords: Viscoelastic, Complex shear modulus, Phase angle, Creep compliance, Percentage recovery

1. Introduction plays a key role in determining rheological properties

Asphalt binders having penetration grade
greater than 40 are usually used in construction of
roads and less than grade 40 are used in industrial
applications. Lower grades of bitumen are suitably
used in hot climatic regions. Asphalt binder is used in
pavements as a binder along with other materials and
plays a vital role in pavement performance. Asphalt
binder is a visco-elasto-plastic, time and temperature
dependent material (Bahia et al, 2006). Selection of
asphalt binder may be one of the significant causes
behind pavement failure like rutting, cracking that
reduce the serviceable life of pavements (Fernandes
and Forte, 2008). Appropriate selection of binder
depends upon its true characterization in the
laboratory. Polymer modified binders (PMB) are
becoming more popular because of their combine
elastic and plastic properties, which are essential for
long term pavement performance (Bahia et al, 2007).
Unfortunately, these binders cannot be fully
characterized using the conventional methods. Super
pave testing procedures provides reliable results in a
wide domain of temperature and stress levels (Rs and
Bhia, 2009).Rheology provides basic information
about the deformation and flow of asphalt binders.
Normal tests which calculate essential properties are
also used in obtaining rheological performance of
asphalt binders, serves as the source for an effectual
performance based asphalt binder specification
(Colbert and Zhanping, 2012). Statistical analysis
indicates that the asphalt binder’s source and grade
(Kumar and Garg, 2011). Present study investigates
the performance of different asphalt binders using
frequency sweep and multi stress creep recovery
tests. Asphalt binders were collected from Attock &
National refineries, UAE & Uzbekistan. Asphalt
binders from UAE and Uzbekistan were used in
Afghanistan at Torkham Jalalabad road project,
which has loadings and traffic conditions similar to
Pakistan. Virgin, RTFO aged, PAV aged asphalt
binders were tested in the laboratory using frequency
sweep and creep recovery test.
2. Objectives
 To characterized the high temperature
performance of neat and modified asphalt binder.
 To identify binder that are overly stress sensitive,
which would previously have passed the PG
criteria and potentially been susceptible to
rutting in the field.
 To study of linear visco-elastic response of
asphalt binders at various temperatures and stress
levels.
 To characterization of asphalt samples according
to the MSCR test specification.
3. Experimental Program
Frequency and temperature sweep testing
was conducted on virgin, RTFO and PAV aged
asphalt binders using dynamic shear rheometer
(DSR). Asphalt binder specimen was heated at 90°C

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to pour into silicone mold. Five asphalt binders, four
neat and one modified with Elvaloy polymer were
tested. Specimens were tested using frequency ranges
from 0.1Hz to 100Hz and temperature ranges from
10οC to 70οC with an interval of 10οC and a strain
rate of 12% (neat), 10% (RTFO aged) and 1% (PAV
aged)was used (Masad et al, 2008). Test temperatures
were selected based on the maximum and minimum
pavement temperatures. Table 1 shows the
penetration grade and performance grade of the
asphalt samples.
58-22 of UAE refinery. PG 64-25 of Attock refinery
shows the overall minimum value of complex shear
modulus (same minimum value) in both the neat and
RTFO aged type as compare to PG 64-22 of
Uzbekistan refinery, at temperature of 70οC and at
the frequency of 0.1Hz. PG 64-25 shows the overall
maximum value of complex shear modulus in PAV
aged type of asphalt binder at a temperature of 10οC.
Figure 2 shows the comparison of PG 64-25 & PG
64-22 for G* at 30οC.

Table 1. Designation of asphalt binders

Performance Penetration
Modified/ Unmodified
Grade Grade
Attock Refinery,
58-22 80-100
Rawalpindi
National Refinery,
64-25 60-70
Karachi
58-22 60-70 Uzbekistan Refinery
Unit Arab Emirates
64-22 60-70
Refinery
Attock Refinery,
70-22 60-70 Rawalpindi Modified with
1.7% Elvaloy
Figure 2. Influence of frequency sweep on G* at
3.1 Frequency Sweep Test 30οC for PG 64-25 & PG 64-22.The influence of
Influence of frequency, temperature, PG frequency sweep on phase angle has been presented
grade, ageing on complex modulus, phase angle and in Figure 3. PG 58-22 of UAE refinery show overall
viscosity were studied. Low (10oC), intermediate minimum values of phase angle compared to PG 58-
(30oC) and high (70oC) temperatures were selected 22 of Attock refinery at frequency of 0.1Hz and
for comparison of results. The results are compared temperature of 10οC, similarly PG 58-22 of UAE
in Figure 1 at frequency of 0.1Hz as it is critical and shows the overall maximum value of phase angle in
identical to the loading conditions in Pakistan. All the RTFO aged type of asphalt binder at 70οC compare to
temperature ranges are considered while comparing PG 58-22 of Attock refinery.
the results. PG 58-22 show the overall minimum
value of G* at 70οC at frequency of 0.1Hz, in neat
type of asphalt binders for both the national and
international asphalt binder.

Figure 3. Influence of frequency sweep on phase

angle at 30οC for PG 58-22

Similarly, PG 64-22 of Uzbekistan refinery

as presented in Figure 4 shows the minimum value of
Figure 1. Influence of frequency sweep on G* at
phase angle in RTFO aged asphalt binder at 10οC as
30οC for PG 58-22
compared to PG 64-25 of national refinery, Karachi.
PG 64-25 of national refinery, Karachi shows the
Figure 1 reveals that PG 58-22 of Attock refinery
maximum value (comparing all the temperatures at
has the overall maximum value of complex shear
frequency of 0.1Hz), of phase angle in RTFO aged at
modulus at 10oC in PAV aged type as compare to PG

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 Life Science Journal 2013;10(3)
temperature of 10οC compare to PG 64-22
Uzbekistan.
Figure 4. Influence of frequency sweep on phase
angle at 30οC for PG 64-25 & PG 64-22.
PG 70-22 of Attock refinery with PAV aged
type has the higher values of G* at temperature of
10οC as compare to PG 58-22 and PG 64-25 & PG
64-22. Comparing the all PG Grades, it is obvious
that minimum value of phase angle is found in PG
64-22 of Uzbekistan at temperature of 10οC in RTFO
aged sample. If three PG Grades of national refineries
i.e. PG 58-22 (A), PG 64-25 and PG 70-22 are
compared, an increase is found in values with
increase in the PG Grade. Figure 5 shows the
relationship of PG Grade and complex viscosity
Figure 5. Influence of PG Grade on complex
viscosity
Influence of frequency level on complex
viscosity has been presented in Figure 6. The plots
show nonlinear trends and viscosity decreases with
an increase in frequency range of 0.1Hz to 100Hz.
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Figure 6. Influence of frequency sweep on complex
viscosity (η)
PG 70-22 of Attock refinery, PAV aged
show maximum value of complex viscosity at 10οC
and PG 58-22 of Attock refinery, neat shows the
minimum value of complex viscosity at 70οC, when
all the PG Grades, all temperature and asphalt binder
types are compared at frequency of 0.1Hz. The
influence of temperature sweep on complex modulus
and complex viscosity has been presented in Figure 7
and Figure 8, respectively. PG 58-22 of Attock
refinery in comparison with other asphalt binders
shows lower values of modulus. PG 64-22 of
Uzbekistan shows the higher value of G* as compare
to PG 64-25 of national refinery Karachi. PG 58-22
of UAE shows high values of complex viscosity
(with maximum value at 10οC), as compared to PG
58-22 of Attock refinery whereas PG 64-25 of
National refinery shows higher values of viscosity as
compare to PG 64-22 of Uzbekistan refinery.
Figure 7. Influence of temperature sweep on complex
modulus (G*)
 Life Science Journal 2013;10(3) http://www.lifesciencesite.com

3.1.2 Black diagram

Black space diagram is the plot of Log G*
versus phase angle (δ) at different test temperature
and frequencies. Usually, predictable viscoelastic
behavior shows a decreasing phase angle and
increasing complex modulus as the temperature
decreases. All the asphalt binders show the same
behavior on constructing the Black space diagrams
with a slight different manner as the above typical
figure illustrates.
Figure 8. Influence of temperature sweep on complex
viscosity (η).

3.1.1 Han's diagram

Han's diagram is a plot which shows the
changes in elastic and viscous components of the
complex modulus, when plotted at each temperature
for any asphalt binder. Han's diagram interprets the
relative elasticity or viscosity of an asphalt binder
over the range of temperatures. Typical trends show
that at high temperatures, asphalt behaves like a
viscous material, and at the low temperatures asphalt Figure 10. Typical Black space diagram PG 58-22
binders behave like elastic materials and viscosity is RTFO aged
lower. If a straight line is plotted such that G' = G",
its intercepts with the Hans curves shows the Table 2. Results of Han's Diagram and Black
crossover frequency between G' and G". Right side of Diagram
the line and under the straight line shows the viscous Binder
Hans Diagram Results Black diagram Results
Type
or loss modulus behavior dominating in the sample, Thermo
similarly left side and over the straight line shows the Elastic
Viscous graphically
PG Grade Dominatin Linearity
elastic component or storage modulus dominating the g
Dominating Simple/
Complex
behavior of asphalt binder, in the Han's plot
70-22 neat Elastic - Linear Complex
(Sulemani, 2009). Figure 9 depicts similar behavior 70-22 Non
Elastic - Complex
of almost all the asphalt binders, irrespective of their RTFO Linear
source of manufacturing. However, at low frequency 70-22 Non
Elastic - Complex
PAV Linear
level, or at high temperature levels, the loss modulus 58-22A
is dominating on all the asphalt binders. It may be Elastic - Linear Simple
Neat
noted that increase in the value of both the modulus 58-22A
- Viscous Linear Complex
RTFO
is mainly due to increase in the stiffness of asphalt 58-22A Non
binders, which is basically due to the high frequency Elastic - Complex
PAV Linear
levels or low temperatures levels. 64-25 neat - Viscous Linear Simple
64-25
Elastic - Linear Simple
RTFO
64-25 Elastic at Viscous at
Linear Simple
PAV low high
58-22 neat Elastic - Linear Simple
58-22
Elastic - Linear Simple
RTFO
58-22 Non
- Viscous Complex
PAV Linear
64-22 neat Elastic - Linear Simple
64-22
Elastic - Linear Simple
RTFO
64-22 Non
Elastic - Complex
PAV Linear

Figure 9. Typical Han's diagram PG 70-22 RTFO 3.2 Multi-Stress Creep Recovery Test
aged Multi stress creep recovery testing was
conducted on virgin, RTFO and PAV aged asphalt
binders using DSR. The asphalt binders for the

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MSCR test were prepared using 25 mm plates. value. However, above 50°C, there is a gradual
Asphalt binder specimen was heated to sufficiently increase in the value of creep compliance.
flow to pour into a mold and sample was prepared
using the silicone rubber mold. A pellet was form and
used for test. The requirements for the temperature
control were followed according to the AASHTO T
315. The asphalt binders were tested for different
temperatures and stress levels. The temperature
ranges between 10 to 70oC and stress ranges between
25 Pa to 25600 Pa (D’ Angelo, 2010). Creep test is
designed to identify the presence of elastic response
in a binder and the change in elastic response at
different stress levels while being subjected to ten
cycles of creep stress and recovery. Non-recoverable
creep compliance has been shown to be an indicator
of the resistance of an asphalt binder to permanent Figure12. Influence of stress level on Jnr at 30oC
deformation under repeated load (AASHTO TP 70,
2010). Behavior of each asphalt binder creep
compliance (Jnr), Creep response and % binder
recovery was studied. Results were elaborated with
the help of plot against different parameters.
Comparisons of results were shown at 10οC, 30οC
and 70οC.

3.2.1 Creep compliance (Jnr) of asphalt binders

Creep compliance (Jnr) values, determined
at stress levels have been presented in Figure 11-13.
It may be noted from Figure 11-13 that creep
compliance values of same grade of asphalt binders Figure13. Influence of stress level on Jnr at 70oC
taken from different source are different. Low
temperature and stress levels have relatively less
significant effect on the Jnr values. It was also
observed that asphalt binder with lower performance
grade have higher tendency to recover at lower stress
and temperature. The lower the Jnr value, the
tendency of the asphalt binders to return back to its
original shape is more and vice versa.

Figure14. Influence of Temperature on Jnr

The above figure shows that creep

Figure 11. Influence of stress level on Jnr at 10oC
Similarly, general trends of asphalt binders
under all temperatures have been presented in Figure
14. It may be noted from Figure 14 that creep
compliance increases with an increase in temperature
compliance is a function of temperature. At low
temperature Jnr value are nor significant for all the
asphalt binders. As we increase temperature, Jnr
values increases. Above 50oC, these values increases
abruptly showing larger values of Jnr. Larger the
values of Jnr, % binder recovery will be less. The
maximum percentage increase in the Jnr values
beyond 50oC was observed for binder PG 64-22 and
minimum was observed for binder PG 70-22.

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3.2.2 Elastic response of asphalt binders
Elastic responses of asphalt binders at
different temperatures were determined from Jnr
values as shown in Table 3. The elastic response for
each asphalt binder was confirmed according to the
specification of AASHTO TP 70-10. The graph if the
plotted point falls above the line, it shows that the
asphalt binder is modified with an acceptable
elastomeric polymer or in case of neat asphalt binder
have sufficient elastic response at that temperature.
Following table shows the elastic response of asphalt
binders at all the temperature.
H = Heavy 10 – 30 million ESALs or slow moving
traffic loading
V = Very Heavy > 30 million ESALs or standing
traffic loading
Figure 15 shows that the asphalt binder PG
70-22 can be used for very heavy traffic loading even
at 50oC. Asphalt binder PG 58-22 can only be used
for standard type of traffic loading. PG 58-22, PG 64-
25, PG 64-22 can be used for heavy traffic loading at
50oC.

Table 3. Elastic response of asphalt binders

Asphalt Temperature (oC)
binder 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
PG X X X
58-22
PG X X X X X
64-25
PG X X X X
58-22 Figure 15. Jnr values @ 50oC and 3.2 kPa
PG
70-22 3.2.4 Stress sensitivity of Asphalt binders
PG X X
64-22
A stress sensitivity calculation as shown
= Asphalt binders have been modified with in Table 4 determines the increase in Jnr value as the
Sufficient polymer or in case of neat asphalt; binder stress levels increases from 0.1 to 3.2 kPa. If the
has sufficient elastic response at a particular percent increase in Jnr at 3.2 kPa was more than or
temperature. equal to 75% of the Jnr at 0.1kPa. Then the binder
Χ = Asphalt binder have not been modified with was stress sensitive and vice versa. The requirement
optimum level of polymer or in case of neat samples; to keep the percent increase in Jnr below 75% was to
do not show sufficient elastic response at a particular ensure that the binder would not be overly stressing
temperature. sensitive to unexpected heavy loads or unusually high
temperatures.
3.2.3 MSCR Binder Specification
New MSCR binder specification uses the Table 4. MSCR Binder Specifications
Suitable Suitable
%age recovery calculated for the asphalt binders. The traffic
Upper stress
temperature
Jnr values at 3.2 kPa shear stress using the MSCR Binder grade sensitivity
loading limit for all
limit
test were calculated at different temperatures (10 to type of loading
70oC). This value was used to evaluate the type of PG 58-22 V 50oC 70oC
PG 64-25 V 50oC 60oC
traffic i.e. Standard (S), Heavy (H) and Very heavy PG 58-22 V 50oC 60oC
(V) under which the asphalt binder can be used at a PG 70-22 V 70oC 60oC
particular temperature (Wasage et al, 2011). For a PG 64-22 V 50oC 60oC
specific temperature if the Jnr value of a sample at
3.2 kPa is less than 4, it can be used under standard 4. Conclusion
traffic. If the Jnr value is less than 2, it can be used Following conclusions have been drawn from
under Heavy traffic and if the value is less than 1, it this study:
can be used under Very heavy traffic loading. The  Asphalt binders behave like elastic material at
corresponding values of Equivalent Single Axle low temperature and like viscous materials at
Loads (ESAL) for various type of traffic i.e Standard high temperature. Complex shear modulus
(S), Heavy (H) and Very heavy (V) under which the decrease with the increase in temperature and
asphalt sample can be used at a particular decreases with the decrease in frequency. Phase
temperature are: angle increase with an increase in temperature
and decreases with an increase in frequency
S = Standard < 10 million ESALs and standard traffic level.
loading  Polymer modified asphalt binder showed
improve elastic properties as compared with

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neat asphalt binders. Polymer modified asphalt
binders are least susceptible to temperature
variations.
 Non-recoverable creep compliance (Jnr)
increases with the increase in temperature and
stress levels. All the neat binders do not meet
the requirement of high temperature except
polymer modified asphalt binder.
 Asphalt binder of same performance grades
collected from different source showed
different creep compliance and stress
sensitivity.
Acknowledgements:
Foundation item: Authors are greatfull to the
Department of Civil Engineering, University of
Engineering and Technology, Taxila, Pakistan for
financial support to carry out this work.
Corresponding Author:
Engr. Kashif Riaz
Department of Civil Engineering
University of Engineering & Technology, Taxila,
Pakistan
E-mail: engrkashif_89@yahoo.com
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